Intermediate Means of

Transport (IMT) and Rural

Transport Services-

Experiences of ITDG in Asia

and Africa

By

Ranjith de Silva

Senior Transport Specialist,

ITDG International Transport Programme

Context…….

Rural Travel pattern Chart

House

Off farmOn farm

V. School Services Market

FirewoodWater

Source

FarmField

Track & footpathTrack Tracks & Roads

IMT & Devices IMT IMT & Conventional Public Transport

Rural TransportRural people have different needs.

Economic and service related activities

• Access to markets & shops

• Access to health centres

• Going to schools

• Access to farms

Subsistence and social related activities.

• Collection of water

• Collection of firewood

• Social visits.

Typical Rural Travel in

Sri Lanka

In developing countries majority of the population live in the rural areas (Av. 70%).

National transport policies include only conventional transport solutions.

Conventional is not appropriate for rural conditions

Head-loading and crossing rivers to

access markets in Orissa, India

•Rural transport needs are different and cannot be addressed by conventional interventions.

Load carrying in

bicycles - India

Rural transport needs are different

Transporting water.

In Sri Lanka

In India

“Roads are not enough”- people

continue to walk on newly built

“Green Roads” in Nepal

How can this Sudanese farmer

take his rich harvest to the market

without adequate transport

Will this donkey able to carry the

whole harvest?

Inadequate Transport at the nearest motorable

road from a remote village in West KenyaHand Carts in Bangladesh

Issues

Economic

No proper infrastructure

No appropriate means of transport

Drudgery and time consuming journeys

Markets become inaccessible

No cash crops produced

No opportunities exploited

Issues continued

Social & subsistence

Difficulties faced by patients to get access

to hospitals and health centres especially

by women in pregnancy.

Productive time lost on collecting water and

firewood, especially by women and children.

Distant location of services and schools.

IMTsCycle Rickshaws in Bangladesh IMT as an alternative

a device that will ease travel between walking and motorized transport.

Increase the Load carrying capacity of existing modes.

Used as an appropriate transport service.

Local capacity for manufacture and/or maintenance.

Few IMTs developed by

ITDG

Donkey harnessing and donkey carts in Sudan

Bicycle Trailers in Sri Lanka, Sudan,

Nepal & Kenya

Gravity Ropeways in Nepal

“Extended” bicycle in

Sri Lanka

Improved Motorcycle Trailer - Sri Lanka“Tuin” – Local innovation of river crossing in Nepal.ITDG is improving this “Tuin” based on thisindigenous technology.

Improved Donkey harnessing to carrywater - Kenya Manufacturers

Small manufacturers from the rural areas

know the needs of the community.

Feedback is given direct to them by the users.

Maintenance services are readily available in

the villages.

Cycle Trailer manufacturers in

Nepal

Indigenous knowledge of people

can be developed through

manufacturer-user links.

Ox cart used by a Tribal community in Orissa in India

Manufacturers capacity needs

to be improved & trained on…Technical Skills

Management and Business Skills

Assist them to develop innovations.

Then the quality will improve and the cost of

the product goes down.

Manufacturers do Technology

Research & Development

Improved Cycle Rickshaws in India

Affordability

The cost of the IMT.

Is it within the purchasing power of the poor

user?

Is access to credit available?

What can be done to bring the costs down?

And finally….

What can be done to increase affordability?

Affordabilitycontinued…….

What can be done to increaseaffordability?

Rural credit Schemes.

Group ownership.

Community Managed Services.

Private sector managed cheaper Transport services.

Work with policy makers to reduce taxes.

Hire and own systems.

Income generation activities or employment creation through IMTs

South-South exchanges of experiences and best practices.

Rural Transport services

Community ManagedSingle ownershipFleet ownership

Community managed

Issues

High Capital investment.

Skills for management.

Social conflicts

Advantages

Meets the travel needs of the majority.

Minimum corruption.

100% user friendly service.

Sense of ownership.

Affordable fares.

Profits accumulated in the bank.

Single Ownership

IssuesCapital investmentAvailability of financial assistance. (e.g. hire purchase).Indisciplined.

AdvantagesCreate employment.Provide competitive fares.

Fleet ownership

Issues• Monopolized management.• Labour disputes.• Employee at risk.

Advantages• Poor people can get employment as drivers.• More fleets catering to transport needs.• Provision for new routes.

What needs to be done

Policy Level

Reduced taxes for IMT imports (e.g. bicycles)

Recognition of IMT in traffic acts ensuring safety.

Enforce user friendly regulations.

Get participation of communities in planning.

Civil Society Organisations

Build capacities of transport service providers through

training and awareness programmes.

Establish better relationship between users and service

providers.

Coordination with policy makers.

Facilitation between planners and community groups.

Continuation

Private SectorEasy payment terms for buyers of IMTs.Build capacities of manufacturers/service units.Invest in transport fleets.Educate employees for courteous service.

We have a long way to go to

solve the transport problems of

these people

Thank you